To a solution of 5-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-3-tritylthiazolidin-2,4-dione (20.0 g) in acetonitrile (200 ml) was added cesium carbonate (21.0 g), followed by bromoacetic acid t-butyl ester (7.4 ml) and the mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 3 hours. To the reaction mixture was added water and the organic layer was separated and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was extracted with toluene and the extract was washed with diluted hydrochloric acid and water and concentrated in vacuo to give the desired compound (24.9 g).
